Lightning News

Lightning Acquire 2nd Round Pick in 2012 from Philadelphia

In 81 games with the Lightning in 2009-10, Meszaros registered 6 goals, 11 assists, 50 penalty minutes and was a -14. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft today in exchange for defenseman Andrej Meszaros, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Meszaros, 6-foot-2, 223 pounds, is a veteran of 379 career NHL games with Tampa Bay and the Ottawa Senators, recording 34 goals, 14 power-play goals and 143 points with a career plus-6 rating. He was acquired by the Lightning on August 29, 2008 in exchange for defensemen Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard as well as a first-round pick in 2009.

The native of Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia has played in 133 games with Tampa Bay, recording eight goals, three power-play goals and 33 points with a minus-18 rating. He averaged 24:10 in ice time in 2008-09 and 20:10 in 2009-10.

Last season Meszaros registered six goals and 17 points in 81 games with the Lightning. He ranked second on the team among defensemen with six goals and was third with 17 points.

Meszaros was drafted by Ottawa in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.